Recent Posts:

A big week of earnings releases led to a similarly big week for dividend increases, with Visa (NYSE:V) and Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE:NWL) leading the way via a pair of massive payout hikes. This week’s grouping also included a several financial institutions and REIT’s, as well as manufacturing and apparel names.

In all, 17 companies joined the list of Companies Increasing Dividends. (Note: All new yields are as of Oct. 25 closing prices unless otherwise noted.)

Regional bank holding company Bar HarborBankshares (AMEX:BHB) increased its quarterly dividend 1.7% to 30 cents per share, payable Dec. 14 to shareholders of record as of the close of business Nov. 16. Dividend Yield: 3.34%

Food and household products distributor B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS) raised its quarterly dividend 7.4% to 29 cents per share payable Jan. 30 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 31. This is the 33rd consecutive quarterly dividend announced by the company following its October 2004 initial public offering. Dividend Yield: 3.92%

Pollution control equipment provider Met-Pro (NYSE:MPR) raised its quarterly dividend 2.1% to 7.25 cents per share, payable Dec. 17 to shareholders of record at the close of business Dec. 3. This is the 22nd consecutive year that Met-Pro has paid a dividend. Dividend Yield: 3.23%

Metalworking, maintenance, repair and operations company MSM Industrial Direct (NYSE:MSM) increased its quarterly dividend 20% to 30 cents per share, payable Nov. 21 to shareholders of record at the close of business Nov. 7. Dividend Yield: 1.71%

Independent energy company Noble Energy (NYSE:NBL) raised its quarterly dividend 13% to 25 cents per share, payable Nov. 19 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 5. Dividend Yield: 1.06%

Self-administered real estate investment trust Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI) raised its quarterly dividend 4.8% to 44 cents per share, payable Nov. 15 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Oct. 31. Dividend Yield: 7.65%

Payroll and benefits solutions provider Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX) raised its quarterly dividend 3% to 33 cents per share, payable Nov. 15 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 2. The company’s board also green-lighted a share buyback program of up to $350 million through May 31. Dividend Yield: 4.03%

Retail-focused REIT Simon Properties (NYSE:SPG) raised its quarterly dividend 4.8% to $1.10 per share, payable Nov. 30 to stockholders of record as of Nov. 16. The hike is SPG’s fifth dividend increase in as many quarters. Dividend Yield: 2.94%

Theme park operator Six Flags (NYSE:SIX) increased its quarterly dividend 50% to 90 cents per share, payable Dec. 10 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 27. Dividend Yield: 6.58%

Specialty chemicals maker Stepan (NYSE:SCL) raised its quarterly dividend 14% to 32 cents per share, payable on Dec. 14 to stockholders of record as of Nov. 30. The increase is the 45th consecutive year Stepan has boosted its quarterly payout. Stepan also declared a 2-for-1 split, set for the same date as the dividend payout. Dividend Yield: 1.38%

Global payment technology company Visa (NYSE:V) raised its quarterly dividend 50% to to 33 cents per share, payable 4 Dec. to shareholders of record as of Nov. 16. This is the fourth consecutive year in which Visa has increased its payout. Dividend Yield: 0.96%

Solid-waste services company Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) raised its quarterly dividend 11.1% to 10 cents per share, payable on Nov. 19 to stockholders of record as of the close of business Nov. 5. Dividend Yield: 1.23%

Natural gas transportation company Williams Partners, LP (NYSE:WPZ) raised its quarterly distribution 2% to 80.75 cents per share, payable on Nov. 9 to unitholders of record as of the close of business Nov. 2. Dividend Yield: 6%

Marc Bastow is an Assistant Editor at InvestorPlace.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more payout winners, see previous weeks’ lists of Companies Raising Dividends.